Monday, September 29, 2014

It’s a test of grit and teamwork and each year pushes competitors to the limit. This year, 35 teams are accepting the challenge, including the first all female team. The competitors of this popular event are coming from as far away as New Jersey. The PGPD's Iron Team Endurance Competition is now in its fifth year.

The event is open to law enforcement, fire personnel, government agencies and members of the military. Four-person teams face obstacles that test their physical and mental strength.

This year, the first obstacle is new to the course. It's called "The Cube" and weighs more than 1,000 pounds. Team members will have to flip the cube to a designated color. Time is of the essence.

They are credited with single-handedly arresting an attempted child kidnapper, finding a missing woman in the depth of winter and performing live-saving CPR on a two-year-old toddler. These are just three of the PGPD officers who Chief Magaw will recognize tomorrow at our Quarterly Awards Ceremony.

Police Officer Ariel Acosta’s sharp memory and police instincts led to the arrest of a suspect who had just tried to kidnap a little girl on her way to school in Clinton. After hearing the suspect’s description, PO Acosta recalled running into the man months earlier—and knew how to find him.

On a cold morning in February, a woman in District Heights wandered away from her home. Her frightened family called police for help. Corporal Don Smith and his bloodhound partner, Tayaut, joined the search. Thankfully, the K9 team found her. She was on the ground, tangled in thorn bushes, unable to get up on her own.

Corporal Michael Waters rushed to a home in Upper Marlboro after a drowning call came into 911. A two-year-old toddler was discovered in the family pool. The child’s family had started CPR. When he arrived, Corporal Waters took over and continued CPR until paramedics arrived. The little boy survived.

These three officers and several additional PGPD officers will be honored tomorrow at headquarters for their outstanding dedication to duty. Members of the media are welcome to attend.

When: Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Time: 2:00 pm

Where: Police Services Complex

7600 Barlowe Road

Palmer Park, MD

For more information, please contact the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Media Relations Division at 301-772-4710.

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Detectives in our robbery unit are looking for this suspect. He’s wanted for an armed robbery at a gas station in the 800 block of Crain Highway in Upper Marlboro on September 22, 2014. He pulled out a gun and demanded cash from the employees. After grabbing the money, the suspect ran from the store and sped away in the car pictured below – possibly a silver Dodge Caliber.

If you know the suspect or have seen the getaway car, please call 301-772-4905. You can also call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS. Tipsters do not have to give their name.

Persons of Interest

Detectives are looking for these two men who are persons of interest in connection with a burglary in the 2400 block of Queens Chapel Road back on September 5, 2014. Someone broke into a home and stole property. If you can help us identify these men, please call 301-699-2601.

Robbery Suspect

We’re looking for 20-year-old Jarrell David Harris. His last known address is the 5000 block of Lee Street in Northeast Washington. He’s wanted in connection with an armed robbery in Mount Rainier on September 12, 2014. Our investigation reveals Harris suspect and a second suspect robbed a man of cash in the 3400 block of Rhode Island Avenue. One of the suspects had a weapon. We did arrest the second suspect. If you know where we can find Harris, please call 301-699-2601 or Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS.

Food Mart Robbery

Please take a look at this photo. Do you recognize this man? He’s wanted for an armed robbery at a food mart on Raleigh Road in Temple Hills. The store was targeted on September 22, 2014, at about 8:00 pm. A frightened employee handed over cash to the suspect, who then ran from store. Have info? Please call 301-772-4905.

Gas Station Robbery

Detectives are hoping this photo helps lead them to the suspect who robbed a gas station in the 8500 block of Oxon Hill Road in Fort Washington. The robbery happened on September 22, 2014, shortly after 3:00 am. The suspect pulled out a gun and demanded cash. He then ran away. If you have information on this case, please call 301-772-4905.

On Thursday, the Prince George’s County Police Department will offer football fans heading to FedEx Field and rush hour commuters real-time traffic information. The Media Relations Division will tweet out traffic information from the police command bus at FedEx Field to help both fans getting to the game and commuters heading home. You can follow PGPD’s #GameTime at @PGPDNews and when it’s safe to tweet, please share what you’re seeing on the roads around FedEx Field. We will bring this information to you again on October 6th when the Washington Redskins take on the defending Super Bowl champs on Monday Night Football.

Fans are reminded the enhanced safety policy implemented by the NFL last year, which significantly limits the size and type of bags that can be brought into the stadium, remains in effect. For more information, we encourage fans to visit NFL.com for specific guidelines on what will be allowed inside FedEx Field.

For more information, please contact the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Media Relations Division at 301-772-4710.

Its nickname was "The Yard." The secluded property in Upper Marlboro attracted both drug dealers and buyers from around the region. It operated similarly to an open-air drug market; sellers and buyers gathered there to complete their illegal transactions. But thanks to a tip to Crime Solvers, the Prince George's County Police Department's Narcotic Enforcement Division shut down the illegal operation.

The tipster made the call to Crime Solvers in June, launching an extensive investigation. On September 10, 2014, the Narcotic Enforcement Division executed a search warrant at the property in the 15000 block of Marlboro Pike. Here's a picture taken from Air 1 during the execution of the search warrant. It shows the activity at the "The Yard" when officers arrived.

"'The Yard’ was a magnet for problems in the community. Shutting it down will make a positive difference for neighbors," says Captain Chuck Hamby, Assistant Commander of the Narcotic Enforcement Division.

Wayne David Burley

Ernest Antonio Ward

The suspects are identified as 52-year-old Wayne David Burley of the 4300 block of Canyon View Drive in Upper Marlboro and 23-year-old Ernest Antonio Ward of the 1400 block of K Street in Southeast Washington. They are charged with multiple drug possession charges.For more information, please contact the Prince George's County Police Department's Media Relations Division at 301-772-4710.

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Update: September 25, 2014, testing has confirmed the decedent's identity as Lasana Mack. The Prince George’s County Police Department is conducting a
death investigation in Chillum. The decedent’s body was discovered in a park.
While detectives are awaiting confirmation of the identity,
they believe the man to be Lasana Mack, who was recently reported missing
in Washington, D.C.

On September 20, 2014, at about 4:30 pm, patrol officers
were called to Chillum Hills Park in the 1100 block of Parker Avenue for the
report of a body. When they arrived, the patrol officers discovered a man’s
body along a trail.

The preliminary investigation reveals no signs of foul play,
and this appears to be a suicide. Once the Office of the Chief Medical
Examiner confirms the decedent’s identity, which could take several days or
possibly weeks, we will provide that information. Detectives will continue to
work closely with the Metropolitan Police Department as this death
investigation continues.

For more information, please contact the Prince George’s
County Police Department’s Media Relations Division at 301-772-4710.

The Prince
George’s County Police Department is seeking the public’s help in finding a missing
man. He is identified as 69-year-old David Smith. He was last seen in the 5200
block of Redd Lane in Camp Springs, at about 10:00 am on October 3, 2014.

Smith is
described as an African American male, 6’2”, and 202 pounds, with gray hair,
short gray beard, and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a brown, white, and red
striped long sleeved polo shirt with tan cargo pants. Mr. Smith suffers from
mild dementia.

Anyone with
information on his whereabouts is asked to call the Prince George’s County
Police Department’s Regional Investigation Division – Southern Region at (301)
749-5064.

Sunday, September 21, 2014

A Prince George's County Police Officer is suspended
after the Baltimore Police Department charged him with second degree
assault on Saturday, September 20, 2014. Police Officer Michael O’Connell was
off duty at the time of his arrest.

Our Special Investigation Response Team (SIRT) launched an
administrative investigation after learning of the arrest. Officer
O’Connell is currently suspended with pay pending an administrative hearing.

O’Connell has been employed by the PGPD for three years, and
is currently assigned to the Bureau of Patrol.

For more information, please contact the Baltimore Police
Department's on-call public information officer at 410-396-2012.

Thursday, September 18, 2014

The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Special Operations Division will be conducting a sobriety checkpoint on Friday, September 19, 2014, from 9:00 pm to 3:00 am. Officers will be focusing on the northern portion of the county.

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Please take a moment and watch this surveillance video. It begins by showing three suspects walking around outside of a store in the 5700 block of Silver Hill Road in District Heights on September 12, 2014. The suspects then pull down masks and walk into the video game store. One of the suspects had a gun. The suspects demanded cash from the register. Before leaving the store, the three grabbed merchandise. If you recognize either of these suspects or have information on this case, please call 301-772-4905. You can also call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS. A cash reward is being offered in this case.

A few days later, another video game store was robbed. On September 16, 2014, at about 11:00 am, two suspects targeted a store in the 6200 block of Livingston Road in Oxon Hill. The suspects wore masks that partially covered their faces. One of the suspects pulled out a gun and demanded cash. The suspects grabbed cash and merchandise before running out of the store. Detectives are looking into whether the two cases are connected.

Robbery Suspect

Do you recognize this suspect? He’s wanted in connection with an armed robbery in Mount Rainier on September 12, 2014. Our investigation reveals this suspect and a second suspect robbed a man of cash in the 3400 block of Rhode Island Avenue. One of the suspects had a weapon. After the robbery, the two suspects ran south on Rhode Island Avenue toward the District.

Convenience Store Robbery

Robbery detectives are also actively searching for these armed robbery suspects. The two men robbed a convenience store in the 6800 block of Race Track Road in Bowie on August 29, 2014. The suspects pointed a gun at an employee and demanded cash. They then ran from the store. If you have any information on this case, please call 301-772-4905.

Arson Suspect

The Office of the Fire Marshal for Prince Georges County in conjunction with the Prince Georges County Police Departments Arson Task Force is investigating a 2nd Degree Arson. On September 8, 2014, at about 4:00 am, the suspect started a fire inside a trash can in the 4800 Block of Marlboro Pike. Investigators are asking for help in identifying the suspect shown in the above video. Anyone with information about the identity of the suspect and/or his whereabouts is asked to call the Office of the Fire Marshal for Prince Georges County at 301-306-5686. Callers wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS.

Whether we’re in the midst of a heat wave or in the
depths of winter, our patrol officers suit up to serve and protect the
residents of Prince George’s County. Each day, those officers do good work.
Here are the Patrol Officers of the Month for July.

District I Patrol Officer of the Month

Corporal Jason Smith

Corporal Jason Smith was honored for finding a
hit-and-run driver in College Park. The driver had just struck and killed a
pedestrian on July 6, 2014. Corporal Smith recognized that the fleeing driver
may head to the Capitol Beltway, so he headed that way and was able to find and
arrest the driver.

District II Patrol Officer of the Month

Corporal Christopher Wood

On July 24, 2014, Corporal Christopher Wood responded to
Lake Arbor Way for a report of vandalism to a car. While canvassing the area,
Corporal Wood saw two people carrying a flashlight and a backpack walking
near the area of the vandalism. Corporal Wood made an investigative stop and
was given consent to search the backpack. Inside, he found an Apple Macbook Pro
computer, an Apple iPad and mail in a third person’s name. It was soon discovered that the computer
belonged to a theft victim. The victim advised that he left his backpack inside
his car. The two suspects were arrested.

District II Patrol Officer of the Month

Police Officer Joshua Hitchens

On July 14, 2014, Police Officer Joshua Hitchens was on
patrol in Largo when he spotted a suspicious car. As he walked up to the car,
he saw a man inside asleep in the driver’s seat. The keys were in the ignition
and the engine was running. Officer Hitchens then saw an open alcoholic
beverage on the front passenger seat. The officer asked the man to step out of
the car at which time Officer Hitchens smelled alcohol on his breath. The man
was arrested. A search of the car revealed a handgun under the front driver’s
seat and a magazine with 16 rounds.

District III Police Officers of the Month

Police Officer First Class David Rustin

Police Officer Steven Frey

On July 23, 2014, Police Officer First Class David
Rustin and Police Officer Steven Frey were dispatched to the 7700 block of
Landover Road for the report of a suspicious man with a child. Once on scene,
the officers began speaking with the man who provided a false name and date of
birth. One of the officers took out his phone and looked up a blog with
information about a child abduction reported by Metro Transit Police. Both
officers agreed the man they were talking to was the suspect. The suspect then
tried to run away while still holding the child. The officers ran after him and
were able to take him into custody. The child wasn’t hurt and was reunited with
her mother.

District IV Police Officer of the Month

Corporal Kevin Brooks Sr.

On July 20, 2014, Corporal Kevin Brooks conducted a
traffic stop in the 3300 block of Branch Avenue in Temple Hills. The car was
being driven without headlights on at night. After stopping the car, Corporal
Brooks detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from the car. Further
investigation revealed seven white pills of suspected morphine, a two- liter
bottle of suspected liquid codeine and a scale. The front passenger had a
marijuana cigarette. A bag was also recovered containing 127 grams of suspected
marijuana and a loaded handgun with the serial number removed. The driver was
arrested and the passenger was issued a criminal citation for possession of
marijuana.

District V Police Officers of the Month

Police Officer First Class Scott Weisbrod

Police Officer Orlando Treadwell

On July 20, 2014, Police Officer First Class Scott
Weisbrod and Police Officer Orlando Treadwell were called to Clinton Way in
Clinton for the report of a suspicious vehicle. When they arrived, the car was
gone, but the officers continued to patrol in the area. A short time later, the
suspicious vehicle sped by the officers. POFC Weisbrod and Officer Treadwell
were able to catch up to the car moments after the occupants left it parked in
a nearby driveway. The two suspects were quickly caught near the car.
Inside the car was a loaded handgun on the driver’s floor board. The gun
had been stolen in an earlier burglary. Both suspects were arrested.

District VI Police Officer of the Month

Police Officer Michael Risher

On July 5, 2014, Police Officer Michael Risher responded
to Cherry Hill Road in Beltsville for an unknown trouble. Once on the scene, a
witness told Officer Risher a woman had just been stabbed, the victim’s child
was inside the home and the suspect may still be on the scene. With the
assistance of a squad member, a room to room search was conducted. Officer
Risher forced entry into a basement room where the victim and child were
hiding. Officer Risher saw the victim’s extensive injuries and used tools from
his newly-issued trauma kit to try to stop the bleeding. The officer had just
been trained to use the trauma kit days earlier. The victim was rushed to a
hospital where doctors stated that Officer Risher likely saved the victim’s
life.